Hawk’s big catch keeps him in lead for Rookie of the Year

WADDINGTON, N.Y. — Lake Havasu City angler Roy Hawk was one of a dozen fishermen to haul in at least 22 pounds during cut day at the Bassmaster Elite series tournament on the St. Lawrence River.

Hawk reeled in 22 pounds, 5 ounces on Friday to move into 19th place overall with a total of 43-11, and earning a spot on the weekend.

The catch also put Hawk into a tie in the projected standings for Rookie of the Year with North Carolina’s Jake Whitaker at 521 points.

Hawk, however, was the only one of the top rookies to make the cut in the top 50 this weekend. As the last tournament of the Elite series regular season, the next two days are the last opportunity to add to the point total before next month’s Angler of the Year tournament in Georgia. only the top 50 of the point standings make the invite. With another big day, Hawk can add a healthy lead on Whitaker in the standings ahead of the final meet.

Havasu’s Dean Rojas had a little more trouble on Friday, hauling in a limit of five bass weighing only 17 pounds, 4 ounces, to fall 21 spots in the standings to 28th overall with a total of 42-4.

San Tan Valley’s Josh Bertrand has kept himself in the conversation for Angler of the Year with another big catch, weighing in 22 pounds, 14 ounces to sit in third place with a total of 48-9, just 1 pound, 8 ounces off the lead. Bertrand is in a horse race with Alabama’s Justin Lucas for the AOY points lead, currently sitting in second place, eight points from Lucas.

Phoenix’s Brett Hite is sitting in 35th place with a total of 40-11 and still leads the big bass of the weekend with his 6 pound, 12 ounce smallmouth from Thursday.

Laughlin’s Chris Zaldain just missed the cut, finishing in 53rd place with a total of 38-2, just 9 ounces from safety. Payson’s Clifford Pirch finished in 92nd with a total of 30-14.

All six area anglers seem to be safe to make the cut for the AOY championship tournament, with each in the top 31 of the AOY standings.